GOING-HOME14th Edition - September 20123rd Quarter

Community Relations

Committee

Kelcie Maka’ikePatricia Fuke

Kenneth Rowe

& STAYING OUT!!!

Welcome Back Ted Sakai …

Congratulations Ted!!!

On September 11, 2012 in a packed Workforce Development Division Conference Room, filled with partners, volunteers, & supporters for Going Home Consortium monthly meeting, former consultant for Going Home Consortium Ted Sakai, addressed our Going Home Consortium, as the Interim Director of Public Safety.

What’s happening with PSD?

Director Ted Sakai, addressed the following items & priorities for the Department of Public Safety:

1. Re-opening Kulani Correctional Facility (KCF) here on the Island of Hawaii;

Opportunity to bring back 160-200 inmates home from mainland

Develop programs that can help transition inmates from KCF to HCCC as part of their reentry plan

Right thing to do

2. Challenges;

Don’t want to interrupt the Youth Challenge program

Laws relating to environmental concerns need to be addressed, as an environmental assessment is needed, & will be initiated

Community input will be solicited

Need legislative approval to reopen

Plan to go to the legislature with a plan & a budget to reopen KCF

3. Establishing a Pu’uhonua;

Representative Faye Hanohano of the Big Island, was the champion for this bill

PSD working with Ohana Ho’opakele

Need to report to the Legislature next year as to the feasibility, & the concept as an alternative to incarceration

Working with OHA for their input & resource assistance – want to do it in a correct manner

4. Reentry Commission;

Statutes states that the commission requires the following membership;

a. Senate President (3) b. House Speaker (3) c. Governor (3)

Governors appointees: a. Val Cisneros (former offender)b. Carol Ignacio (Hawaii - OSM)c. Blayne Hanagami (Hawaii - WDD)

Big Island of Hawaii well represented on this Reentry Commission – Thanks to All of You & our Going Home Consortium!!!

GOING-HOME14th Edition - September 20123rd Quarter

& STAYING OUT!!!

5. Conference of Community Agencies;

Currently being formed on the island of Oahu

PSD working with Senator Will Espero

Going Home as the model for PSD

6. Justice Re-Investment (JRI)

Pretrial – Oahu judges feel that housing, mental health, & substance abuse services are needed in order to release inmates

Level of Service Inventory (LSI-R) – Law requires LSI-R for all Sentenced Felons prior to parole;

PSD re-certifying all case-managers in LSI-R by year end

Programs – PSD establishing priorities of programs in facilities

What programs get inmates to earn parole

What programs enable inmates to be successful at parole

PSD working group formed

7. Statewide clean & sober housing initiative;

Introduced & supported by Senator Will Espero

Trying to determine what is available, where are the gaps, & how to address gaps

Brandee Menino, HOPE Services of Hawaii, assisting for Big Island

Employer Appreciation & Recognition …By Blayne Hanagami

At least once a year, our Going Home Consortium recognizes and honors the supportive employers who have hired or provided valuable resources to our Going Home participants.

On July 10, 2012, we were fortunate enough have Labor Director Dwight Takamine present to share his words of appreciation to nine (9) employers who have successfully employed our grateful ex-offenders. Director Takamine made it abundantly clear that without these outstanding and generous employers willing to give second chances to our participants who have paid their debt to society, Going Home cannot claim the success it has over the years. He also took time out to thank the many agencies and individuals who tirelessly provide the support networks to the hundreds of participants on furlough, parole, and/or probation who depend on community-based re-entry initiatives like Going Home.

We were also blessed with an impromptu presentation byEnoka Ulu, a offender on extended furlough, parole, and an employee at Ken's House of Pancake / Ponds of Hilo, addressed the entire luncheon. He spoke passionately about the incredible openness and trust given to him as a new worker. He distinctly recalled being

told that his employer was not concerned about the mistakes he made in the past. The only question posed to him was, “Are you willing to work hard?” He told the audience he has been trying to prove himself to his employer since his first day on the job! He concluded his presentation and provided some awesome words in support of Going Home he said “we cannot do it ourselves! We need people like you...Please keep helping us! Thank you!”

The following employers were honored at this event: Gil Silva, HR Works; Raj Budhabhatti, Greenpower Solutions; Nell Quay, Big Island Toyota; Brandee Menino, HOPE Services Hawaii, Inc; Enoka Ulu for Debbie Maiava, Ken’s House of Pancakes / Ponds of Hilo; Noreen Toledo, Suisan Company Ltd.; Dale, Roy, and Ryan Kadota, Kadota Liquors, K’s Drive Inn, Mr. K’s Recycle & Redemption Center; Michelle Krilla, Goodwill Industries Hawaii, Inc.; and Ronelle Hulama, Alu Like Inc.

& STAYING OUT!!!

GOING-HOME14th Edition - September 20123rd Quarter

Thank you, employers! And to our hardworking participants, thanks for representing Going Home so well! Your success on the job now will directly shape the perceptions of our employers for the future!

And in usual Going Home style, a potpourri of delicious dishes was prepared and served up by our appreciative Going Home members!

Thank you, everyone!

HIWEDO always serving our community …

Going Home Consortium would like to support the Hawaii Island Workforce & Economic Ohana (HIWEDO) for all the things that they do to assist our initiative. With the vision and the beliefs of “if we build it, they will come,” fore sights HIWEDO is organizing and proudly presenting “Na Leo Ho’okele” … a mini-concert series as a worthwhile and culturally supportive events, to raise money to continue their good work in our community.

On September 23, 2012 the mini-concert series began with three-time “Male Vocalist of the Year & Na Hoku Hanohano Award Winner – Nathan Aweau.” The night was electrifying as he filled the air with the sounds of Hawaiian Music of the past, the present and the future. Many in attendance felt the concert location, and atmosphere made it even more awesome.

The next mini-concert series will include the talented, and multiple “Na Hoku Hanohano Award Winner – Hoku Zuttermeister on October 14, 2012.”

For more information, please call the HIWEDO Office at (808) 959-6200

Go HIWEDO!!!

& STAYING OUT!!!

GOING-HOME14th Edition - September 20123rd Quarter

Health & Wellness …The Hawaii Intake Service Center, an agency within the State Department of Public Safety, has been awarded a Second Chance Act grant of $597,576 through the Office Justice Programs at the U.S. Department of Justice. The award will be used to support pre- and post-release reentry services for medium to high risk sentenced inmates diagnosed with a co-occurring substance abusedisorder, meaning co-existing substance abuse, and mental health disorders, who are within six to 12 months of release from the Hawaii Community Correctional Center (HCCC).

The aim is to reduce recidivism by providing a comprehensive program of integrated co-occurring disorder treatment, social services and individual counseling - beginning prior to release and followed with rapid linkages to services after release into the community. Previously HCCC only offered limited mental health services and crisis counseling within the facility.

This grant will make it possible to continue the current program while expanding to provide mental health reentry services and integrated co-occurring disorder treatment through group and individual counseling. In addition, the program will provide screening and eligibility determination for Adult Mental Health Services, prior to a participant’s release from custody, and support groups for both men and women will be established for participants pending release.

“We have included both evidenced based and innovative approaches in the new program,” said Hawaii County Reentry Program Clinical Supervisor Arthur Pinkney. “We will be implementing ideas that arose from what we learned from the current program.”

Hawaii Certified Peer Mentor and Volunteer, Debbie Marie says the new program will be more focused and allow them to provide better preparation for the participants prior to their release.“Providing in-reach services of this kind will help to strengthen the participant’s capacity to successfully transition from jail to the community,” said Debbie Marie.Tyrone Castro is a program participant who says he knows the value of these programs behind prison walls as well as on the outside.

“The current program has made a difference in my life and I am looking forward to helping in whatever way I can with the new program,” said Tyrone Castro.

The program’s proposal received wide support from lawmakers like State Senator Will Espero, and the community including the Going Home Consortium, various mental health and substance abuse treatment providers, and the Hawaii Community Correctional Center.

“We are thrilled to see that these much needed serviceswill be enhanced with the new program,” said Care Hawaii, Kona Team Leader David Weiner.

For more information about the Second Chance Act Reentry Program for Adult Offenders with Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders program on the Big Island, please feel free to contact:

Kelcie Maka’ike 933-8831

Arthur Pinkney

937-1693

Congratulations PSD for making a difference from incarceration to reentry back into our community – one returning resident at a time!!!

& STAYING OUT!!!

GOING-HOME14th Edition - September 20123rd Quarter

HIWEDO - Going Home success in the press …

In an article written by Yisa Var on Wednesday, August 8th, 2012, & published in the Big Island Weekly

A second chance can change a life

By Yisa Var

As I sat and listened to Carol Ignacio speak about forgiveness and second chances at a recent fundraiser for the Going Home Consortium, part of HIWEDO, which helps prison inmates reintegrate into society, I could not help but be moved by her words. Carol’s life’s work, as evidence by those who shared their own experiences of the many programs she has pioneered, has been to open her heart and find ways to create programs that help the poor, the hungry, the homeless and now those who want to change their lives around after serving jail time.

Having had my home burglarized last year and my parent’s home robbed, with my dad held at gunpoint, two years before that, forgiveness for criminals was not high on my to-do list. Drugs seemed to be the motivation behind the crimes against us — the criminals were most likely addicts and willing to do harm to others to feed their own monsters. Having been somewhat of a rule follower my whole life — I never got in trouble in school, I got good grades, never broke the law and certainly never intentionally hurt others — I didn’t quite understand the criminal mind, that is, until I receive a crash course in crime victim 101.

But here I was, in a room filled with political officials, successful businessmen and women, and convicted felons and past drug addicts. Everyone had come together to raise money for a program that is changing lives and helping to create opportunities for people who are willing to work hard and make a new life for themselves beyond the prison bars. It was obvious to me in that moment that it was time to open my mind and heart and give forgiveness a chance.As each person spoke throughout the evening’s event, I learned more about the Hawaii Island Workforce and

Economic Development Ohana (HIWEDO), the Going Home program and the Hope Services, as they called it, which is helping to get people who have been recently released from prison back on their feet with rent deposits, help with finding a job, job training and much more. People who have been through the program offered up emotional testimonials as to its success in allowing them that second chance to stay clean and sober, find ways to be self-sufficient and productive members of society and begin putting the pieces of their lives back together. It was inspiring!

With the state of prisons being so overcrowded and the accommodations not as conducive to rehabilitation as they probably should be at many facilities, it’s no wonder that people are struggling upon release. How can you expect someone to change when they are going in with the mindset that it is somehow okay to hurt others, steal from others, and break the law, in order to meet their own personal agenda? Putting them in a box for a few months or a few years in an environment that is not peaceful, not educational and not safe is setting them up to fail in the real world. I have never been to jail myself, but it isn’t hard to imagine the conditions of a crowded jail cell and how things could go terribly wrong in such close quarters with people who are used to fighting for what they want or just taking in.

It is because I don’t fully understand what inmates go through that makes me want to forgive and support that second chance — third and fourth chances, probably not so much! But I have been given many second chancesin my life, do-overs, or a chance to make a better decision, not just for me, but also for my entire family and everyone who cares about me. Going Home Consortium is actually going into the facilities and connecting with inmates and making this happen. I tip my hat to their valiant efforts and wish them much success, as through their work, they are also keeping my family and me safe in the long run.

There is no overall solution and not everyone can be helped or rehabilitated, but at least someone is out there trying — one inmate at a time.

Big Island Weekly yvar@bigislandweekly.comTell us what you think at www.bigislandweekly.com or www.facebook.com/biweekly

THANKS YISA, YOU THE BEST!!!

& STAYING OUT!!!

GOING-HOME14th Edition - September 20123rd Quarter

Employer Wall of Fame …

Going Home Consortium would like to always recognize all the employers who have supported and continue to support our efforts:

A-American Self StorageAffordable CateringAltres StaffingAuto ConceptsCalavo Growers, Inc.Cal-Kona ProduceCoconut GrillCost U LessDayLum RentalsDiscount FabricEvening River TechnologiesFuku BonsaiGreen Power Solutions Hawaii Electric Light CompanyHawaii Porter ServiceHawaii Safety & TrainingHawaiian Tug and Barge / Young BrothersHPM Building Supply, Inc.Innovative Employment ServiceKen’s House of PancakeKen’s TowingKTA SuperstoresLoeffler ConstructionMaebo Noodle FactoryMK ConstructionPonds of HiloRoss’s – Dress For LessSig Zane DesignsSuisan Company, Ltd.Takamine ConstructionUncle Billy’s – Hilo Bay HotelWailele O Akaka Botanical Gardens and FarmWal-Mart of HiloWillock’s Construction, Ltd.Workforce Management, Inc.Z. Smith Construction Company

On the horizon …Going Home Activities, and Events:

Mentoring Project: Continue to expand in both East & West Hawaii

Co Case Management: Continue to address the needs of participants

Community Relations: Continue with newsletter, updates and promotion of Going Home events

Executive Committee: Continue to address directions & goals for Going Home Consortium

For Your Information…Going Home Consortium Meeting is held on the second Tuesday of every month from 11:30am to1pm at the Workforce Development Division Conference Rooms, both in Hilo and in Kona.

Meetings are open to the general public, and to anyone who is interested in servicing or providing assistance with participants with legal challenges and criminal history as they transition back into our community, please contact the following:

Patricia Fuke Kenneth Rowe 959-6200 933-3453

“Always live with ALOHA”